Chapter 38

"Whoops, I almost forgot. This thing is necessary for this 'walk.'"

At the eaves of the blacksmith's shop, I hand over the robe that Balthro and Galuga have treated to prevent electric shock. Balthro, who received it, immediately unfolds the folded robe and squints his eyes.

"This is a travel robe, isn't it? Are you planning to camp somewhere? No, surely you're not going to keep Joshua-sama outside for a whole day, are you?"

That's right, yeah. Balthro, your imagination is correct. Unfortunately, if I were to take a whole day off and go camping, I'd have an enormous amount of work waiting for me when I return.

"Yeah, I'm planning to go and come back the same day. This is to prevent getting zapped by lightning."

"Wow, really! Lightning... So the destination for this walk is the thunder beast! This is getting exciting!"

"Indeed. It's dangerous, so I want to take all possible precautions. That iron rod—the lightning rod—is also part of the plan."

"I've seen this before. It's the rod that attracts lightning in the principality, right?"

"Exactly. If you set it up, the lightning will strike there."

"Haha, that's great. As expected of Joshua-sama. You never bore us."

Balthro snapped his fingers and grinned in a manly way. I can't quite understand how he can look so excited about going to see a dangerous wild animal. It's like those people I've seen on TV who want to meet wild animals in the savanna.

"I will definitely protect you. Both you, Joshua-sama, and the child."

On the other hand, Galuga gripped the robe tightly and renewed his determination. It's not necessary to be so serious... These two are quite extreme. This is getting interesting.

"Hehe, you're just as excited about playing with the thunder beast, aren't you?"

"That's not true. I'd rather not meet it. But the experiment is important. Yeah."

"Your thirst for knowledge overcomes your fear. Good. As expected of my chosen companion."

"Companion, yeah. Best friend is fine too."

"Ho ho ho. Best friend! Haha. At this rate, it won't be long before you become my mate."

The lecherous fox is saying something, but I'll ignore it and keep moving. We have to walk, so we need to keep going.

◇◇◇

Huff, huff...

Guh, guh. I held out longer than yesterday, but my legs are about to give out. Galuga, who has been walking behind us, has been carrying the lightning rod the whole time, even though I suggested we switch.

Balthro, who is walking in front, and Sequoia, who is walking beside me, are not even out of breath. They don't even look like they've been exercising.

"Sequoia, Galuga is carrying the heavy lightning rod. Let's slow down a bit."

"You're not being honest. Hmm."

Sequoia leans against me from the side.

Hey, hey.

Even though my legs are wobbly, if you push me, I'll fall.

"No, I won't fall!"

"What are you doing all by yourself?"

"No, Galuga has been carrying the lightning rod the whole time."

What's with that smug look on your face?

You're even shrugging your shoulders dramatically.

You're not listening to my opinion at all.

That's right. It's pointless to say anything to Sequoia.

I turn my head back and call out to the leopard-headed Galuga, who is carrying the lightning rod on his shoulder with ease.

"Galuga, you must be tired from carrying it the whole time. Shall we take a break?"

"I appreciate your concern, but it's unnecessary, Joshua-sama."

"Oh, ah, yeah."

"We've only just started walking. I heard from Balthro that you're worried, so we've already decided to take turns. Please rest assured."

"O-Okay."

Huh? Aren't you tired?

I was so out of breath that I couldn't even check, but when I look at Galuga again, he doesn't seem tired at all.

He's not even out of breath while talking... This is a problem. My plan to make him rest because he's tired won't work.

At that moment, a voice from the front called out.

"Joshua-sama, shouldn't we take a break soon?"

"Balthro! Yeah, that's right."

Balthro, as expected.

Yeah, yeah. We need to take a break.

It's not because I'm out of breath. It's better to be prepared. Hehe.

"If my memory serves, we'll reach a pineapple grove if we walk a bit further."

"Let's all hydrate to be fully prepared. We might have to do some intense exercise..."

I clapped my hands and sat down on a convenient rock.

Sequoia gave me a disapproving look.

"What is it? Come, sit down, Sequoia."

"...It's getting ridiculous to say it."

Sequoia perched on my lap.

"Well, well, it's fine, isn't it?"

"That's right. I knew it from the beginning."

Balthro and Sequoia exchanged exasperated glances and agreed on their own.

It can't be helped. Tired people get tired.

Don't underestimate indoor people. I can't move after walking for an hour.

What do you think?

...I'm feeling a bit down. I'll drink some water.

◇◇◇

I should have pushed myself a bit more.

We safely reached the place where the pineapple grove is beyond the bushes, but there were no thunder beasts there.

So, we're sitting in the bushes, watching and waiting.

Yeah, if I think about it calmly, it's obvious. Even yesterday, when we were cutting down the Stuka tree in the pineapple grove, there was no sign of a thunder beast.

Thunder beasts don't always stay in one place. It would be different if there was a nest here.

What else can we do besides wait quietly...?

The best person to ask about wild animals is a wild person.

"What's with that smug look on your face?"

"No, this is my normal face. I have one question."

I pointed at Sequoia, who was twitching her fox ears as if listening intently. But Sequoia puffed out her cheeks and pouted childishly.

"Whatever."

"Can you sense the presence of a thunder beast?"

"I was doing that just now, but you—"

"Ah, sorry. One more question."

"Are you saying that it's more certain to encounter a thunder beast at its den?"

"Exactly, that's it!"

"It's possible to search, but we want to approach the thunder beast friendly, not to kill it, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then it's better to stop. What would happen if the thunder beast sensed danger to its nest?"

"That's what I thought. You've already considered everything I can think of. So, it's better to wait here, right?"

"That's right."

As expected of a wild child.

When it comes to wild animals, you can rely on them. Yeah.

At that moment, I heard a rustling sound.

"Everyone, come closer to me."

Sequoia suddenly changed her tone and held out her right hand to signal us to be quiet, calling us over.